Driving with Uber in Perth: PTD Authorisation and Vehicle Rules

Perth and the WA model

Perth is named as an eligible city in Uber's October 2026 new-driver offer, and it is regulated by the Western Australian Department of Transport. WA runs a two-track model: the driver holds a Passenger Transport Driver authorisation, and the vehicle holds its own passenger-transport authorisation. Neither substitutes for the other.

WA is also distinct in that its authorisations renew on a yearly cycle, so the ongoing effort is a recurring one rather than a one-off.

The driver: PTD authorisation

To carry passengers for a fare in WA, the driver needs a Passenger Transport Driver (PTD) Authorisation from the Department of Transport. According to the department's published guidance (checked 9 October 2026), you apply online through DoTDirect, and the authorisation is issued on an annual basis.

Before applying, WA requires you to lodge a National Police Certificate and complete a medical assessment. Uber's own WA guidance reflects the same driver-side requirement, noting that the medical assessment and background check come first (Uber, checked 9 October 2026).

Eligibility, checks and timing

The Department of Transport's published eligibility for a PTD authorisation includes:

• being at least 20 years old;
• holding a current, valid Western Australian driver's licence;
• having held a driver's licence, or an equivalent driving authorisation from another jurisdiction, for 3 years; and
• not having a disqualifying offence on record.

One caution: Uber's national requirements page lists a licence-tenure figure for several states but not for Western Australia, so the tenure rule to follow is the regulator's. Confirm the current figure with the Department of Transport before you rely on it.

The department publishes a processing time of about 11 days for the authorisation. That estimate is the department's and applies to the authorisation step, so allow additional time for the police certificate and medical assessment you must complete first.

The vehicle: OD-C authorisation and insurance

The car needs its own authorisation. Based on the Department of Transport and Uber's WA guidance (checked 9 October 2026), that means:

• a Passenger Transport Vehicle (PTV) On-demand Charter (OD-C) authorisation for the vehicle;
• a roadworthiness inspection — a DoT-accredited inspection is booked as part of applying for the vehicle authorisation; and
• the correct class of Motor Injury Insurance (MII) for passenger transport on the vehicle registration. Uber's WA guidance describes this as 3F Motor Injury Insurance.

The Department of Transport notes that there is no maximum vehicle age set in legislation, but that an on-demand booking service — such as the platform you drive for — may impose its own age or inspection requirements. Uber separately requires a 5-star ANCAP rating or an approved exemption. Using the wrong MII class can invalidate your cover, so treat the insurance step as a hard requirement.

The on-demand booking service layer

Rideshare in WA sits on top of an on-demand booking service (ODBS) — the platform that connects you with passengers. The Department of Transport authorises these booking services and sets rules around how on-demand passenger transport is identified and operated. That is the layer Uber operates in; your PTD and OD-C authorisations authorise you and your car to work within it.

The practical point is that there are three things in play — the driver, the vehicle and the booking service — and each has its own requirements. Confirm all three before you start.

Tax and registrations

Tax is separate from the WA authorisations. Uber states that rideshare drivers must register for an ABN, and the ATO requires rideshare drivers to be GST registered regardless of turnover, because rideshare is a taxable supply. An ABN is free through the Australian Business Register. Our requirements guide covers this in more detail.

Confirm before you commit

Use this as a dated map, not a substitute for the source. Before you pay a fee or buy a car, confirm with the WA Department of Transport (a) the current PTD eligibility and tenure rule, (b) the vehicle OD-C and inspection requirements, and (c) the correct MII class — then complete onboarding in Uber's own signup flow. To sign up, our start driving page links to the public referral flow and our referral disclosure explains our interest in it.

For the cross-state comparison with the other offer cities, see Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Adelaide and Perth.

Related reading

Read the shared national layer in how to become an Uber driver in Australia and the requirements, licences and background checks guide. For the offer context, see referral offers and eligibility. Browse cities and regions or return home. See also our editorial policy.